What Are the Long-Term Effects of Psoriasis and Can You Prevent Them?

5 of 5 • Dr. Haque explains that untreated psoriasis can lead to arthritis and metabolic issues, but treatments like biologics effectively reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

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Transcript

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:10:00
Dr. Haque
Sometimes it's kind of incredible that that I can say, “Hey, I'm going to get you almost 100 percent better, and it's going to have less side effects than Motrin or Tylenol.”

00:00:10:02 - 00:00:30:03
Justina Ray
What happens if psoriasis is left untreated? Are there any long-term effects?

Dr. Haque
Psoriasis can certainly lead to a lot of problems down the line. I see it affect people's quality of life more than anything. The flaking can really be a problem for people itching in the scalp, causing difficulties with sleep, or wanting to do things daily can be a problem, but the arthritis that comes from psoriasis, that can be really, really painful.

00:00:30:06 - 00:00:49:17
Dr. Haque
About 30 percent of psoriasis patients progress on to having psoriatic arthritis, and that can really slow down your mobility. The third aspect of it is that these patients with psoriasis have such an inflamed system overall. We know they have a higher rate of metabolic syndrome as well. And that includes cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease at a higher rate.

00:00:49:18 - 00:01:06:10
Dr. Haque
I imagine that these patients that have these over-inflamed immune systems, they do have a higher rate of those issues also, and complications from those issues as well.

Justina Ray
Is there anything I can do about it?

Dr. Haque
Yeah, topical steroids or biologics that can reduce down the inflammation and get rid of the psoriasis is going to be the number one key. Biologics,

00:01:06:10 - 00:01:25:16
Dr. Haque
those are targeted therapies. So they target one specific pathway of inflammation, and they reduce that inflammation, and really do a great job of getting psoriatic disease down. And the psoriasis is definitely going to clear up as well, but really, I mean, we could help that pain and mobility a lot too if we can target those markers. We really are in a great age to treat your disease.

00:01:25:18 - 00:01:28:10
Justina Ray
Learn more and connect at MyPsoriasisTeam.com.

Videos in this series

	How Does Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss?
	Psoriasis and Joint Pain: What It Means for Daily Movement
	Pain and Psoriasis: 3 Causes To Know
	3 Facts To Know About Psoriasis Comorbidities
	What Happens if Psoriasis Is Left Untreated?

“What happens if psoriasis is left untreated?” asked Justina Ray, who’s been living with psoriasis since 2022. “Are there any long-term effects?” The teacher and mom of two sat down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adel Haque to learn about the long-term impacts of psoriasis.

Below are three long-term impacts of psoriasis and tips for how you can best take care of your health.

1. Problems With Daily Activities and Quality of Life

“Psoriasis can certainly lead to a lot of problems down the line,” Dr. Haque said. “From a skin standpoint, I see it affect people’s quality of life more than anything.”

For example, itchy skin can interfere with rest. “How do I stop an itchy head at night so I can sleep?” one MyPsoriasisTeam member asked.

Psoriasis can also affect your self self-esteem. It can feel embarrassing to have flaky skin, and this may make people less likely to want to be social. One member wrote, “What do you all suggest for dry, itchy scalp that will not make my hair greasy-looking? I am embarrassed by my scratching and flakes.”

2. Joint Pain and Mobility Issues

“We say typically about 30 percent of psoriasis patients progress on to having psoriatic arthritis,” Dr. Haque noted. Psoriatic arthritis causes swollen, stiff, and painful joints. It can “be really, really painful,” Dr. Haque emphasized.

Psoriatic arthritis is caused by the same inflammation that leads to your psoriasis flare-ups. “You get inflammation in your joint spaces, hands, elbows, knees. Some people’s Achilles tendons are really badly affected,” Dr. Haque said. Painful and stiff joints “can really slow down your mobility.”

While it’s possible to have psoriatic arthritis without psoriasis, most people develop joint pain several years after their skin symptoms start.

3. Metabolic Syndrome and Other Health Problems

Having psoriasis can increase your risk of developing other health conditions over time. One of those possible complications is metabolic syndrome.

“Patients with psoriasis have such an inflamed system overall that we know that they have a higher rate of metabolic syndrome,” Dr. Haque noted. A person has metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of these five health conditions:

• A waist circumference of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men
• High triglycerides (type of fat found in the blood)
• Low “good” cholesterol
• High blood sugar
• High blood pressure

Metabolic syndrome can lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and more.

How Can You Prevent Long-Term Health Impacts of Psoriasis?

You’re not helpless in the face of your psoriasis. One of the best things you can do to care for your overall health is to make sure you’re effectively treating your psoriasis.

“Topical steroids or biologics that can reduce inflammation and get rid of psoriasis are going to be the number one key,” Dr. Haque explained. Additional treatment options that target inflammation are also available.

Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, and quitting smoking (if you smoke) are also critical to improving your well-being.

Talk to Your Doctor

It’s important to tell your dermatologist about all the ways psoriasis affects you. This includes trouble with insomnia, low self-esteem, and more. Understanding how your skin condition is related to your physical and mental health can help your healthcare providers determine the best treatment plan for you.

“There’s a ton of different treatments for psoriasis,” Dr. Haque said. “We really are in a great age to treat your disease.”

Meet Your Team

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Does psoriasis cause you pain? Let others know in the comments below.